Glove

ABSTRACT

A glove comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and movement control members associated with the finger sheaths to prevent the finger sheaths from moving into a linear extended position, while allowing the finger sheaths to be in a curved position or a clenched position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/794,890 filed Oct. 26, 2017, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/413,550 filed Oct.27, 2016 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/421,223 filedNov. 11, 2016, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a glove. More particularly, the invention isfor a glove which may be used by an athlete, and wherein the glove isconstructed so that hand movement within the glove is somewhat limitedor restricted. In one form, the glove may be used by a person practicingin the fields of boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA), although theinvention is not limited thereto.

Fighting has long been a popular sport. For most of the last 100 yearsor so boxing has been a dominant force in attracting viewers and thusrevenue. As the sport has evolved with stronger athletes, athleteprotection has become more and more advanced. The boxing glove of 50years ago is more like a mitten when compared to the boxing glovesavailable today. Not only has the outside of the glove changed, but theinside mechanics have also evolved to better protect the fighter'shands.

Over about the last 20 years and certainly in the last 10 years, MixedMartial Arts (MMA) has become one of the top fighting sports inattracting viewers and revenues from boxing. While the rules havedeveloped significantly as with anything new, the protection for thefighters has been lagging behind in one particular arena.

The very nature of “mixed” martial arts involves a mix comprisingpredominantly boxing techniques and grappling techniques. Grapplingtechniques require that a fighter's hands, specifically his fingers, befree from the type of confinement a boxing glove incorporates, such thatthe fighter's fingers are exposed thereby allowing fighters to use thedexterity and mobility of their fingers in order to grab an opponent ina variety of ways in an effort to submit him and win the contest.

One of the safety issues that has long existed in MMA specifically as aresult of the “open fingered glove” designs is “eye pokes”. An eye pokecan occur at any time and with no malicious intent attached to it. Whena fighter is moving closer and perhaps starts to throw a punch (with aclenched fist), but suddenly has to adapt to a movement from theopponent by changing that clenched fist into an open palmed block ofsome sort, the fingertip on an extended or straightened hand can drivedirectly into the opponent's eye causing at the very minimum discomfortand momentary blurred vision, but also potentially permanent eye damage.

In combat sports, and more specifically mixed martial arts, boxing ismixed with wrestling (grappling). The boxing function requires aclenched fist posture, while the grappling requires a hand to be openand extendable. Therefore, the respective design of gloves worn by suchfighters is different, with fingers exposed and free to grab and move inthe case of mixed martial arts, and the hands completely encapsulatedfor a boxing glove. In mixed martial arts, where both boxing andgrappling is used, conventional gloves with fingers exposed and free tomove may increase the risk of injury, even though unintentional.

There has long been a need for a glove design that offers paddingsimilar to a boxing glove while allowing finger movement to grab, and atthe same time restricting the ability for a finger to poke an opponent'seyeball, or other vulnerable body part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a glove preferably foruse in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for protecting a fighter's hands whileallowing that fighter to use his fingers and also protecting thefighter's opponents from an accidental fingertip eye poke or otherinjury.

A glove in accordance with the present invention limits the uses hand topositions: the clenched fist position, and the “at rest” position, inwhich the hand cannot achieve a fully extended position.

Current MMA gloves are produced in a few sizes which by that very naturedo not afford a tight fit surrounding the fingers themselves. In fact,many glove designs have a pliable material utilized for the sides of thefingers while the top and bottom portions of the gloves are typically astronger material such as leather. MMA gloves allow for the thumb to befully or partially exposed and the fingers to have one or two knucklesper finger exposed. The pliable material on the sides of gloves allowsfor even more movement of the finger inside the actual finger area ofthe glove.

The built-in mobility combined with the added movement due to thematerial choice in a conventional glove allows for a fighter's fingersto be straightened out completely and risk the occurrence of an eye poketo an opponent.

The current invention is directed toward resolving this safety issuewhile offering a better fit and better flexibility for the fighter.

When a person's hands are in a naturally relaxed state, there is a curveto the hand. The palm is cupped and the fingers are arched. This is theposition to which the present invention restricts the user's hand inrelation to the ability to further open or straighten the hand.Conversely, the glove of the invention does not restrict the user'shands from closing completely and unimpeded. Further, it should be notedthat the materials used in the current invention are of a type thatoffers an expandable characteristic that allows for a more secure handfitting while restricting additional free movement as found in currentdesigns now available.

By restricting the user's ability to extend and straighten the fingers,the potential for an unintended eye poke, or other injury which may becaused to an opponent by an extended finger, is quite notably limited asthe natural arch of the hand and fingers is not programmed orspecifically adapted for making contact in any manner or fashion. Anopen hand and straight fingers are more commonplace for slapping, as aclenched fist is for punching. With the open hand position no longer anoption due to the movement limitations imposed by the glove of theinvention, a user throwing his hand randomly at their opponent andcausing eye damage will stop occurring or be significantly diminished.

Additionally, the design of the present invention also utilizesconnective materials to limit the amount of independent movement betweenindividual fingers. This design feature will limit the potential forfinger joint injuries in users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are illustrations of the human hand in differentpositions;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show a mixed martial arts (MMA) glove of the prior art;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show another version of a mixed martial arts glove ofthe prior art;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a glove in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention, each figure showing a hand that isin the glove in different positions;

FIG. 15 shows a palm up view of a glove of the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 shows a back side view of the glove shown in FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 shows a hand in a glove illustrated in FIG. 16 with the thumbsheath removed;

FIG. 18 shows a hand in the glove illustrated in FIG. 17 with the handin the clenched position;

FIG. 19 shows a further perspective view of a glove illustrated in FIG.12 ;

FIG. 20 shows a palm up view of a glove illustrating a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a palm down view of the glove shown in FIG. 20 ;

FIG. 22 shows a hand in a glove illustrated in FIG. 20 with the fingersin a relaxed position;

FIG. 23 shows a hand in a glove illustrated in FIG. 20 , with thefingers in the clenched position;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the glove shown in FIG. 22 illustrating therestrictive webbing between the thumb sheath and the index fingersheath;

FIG. 25 is a partially cutaway section of the glove shown in FIG. 22showing an internal finger sheath;

FIG. 26 is a further partially cutaway section of the glove shown inFIG. 22 showing the position of the hand inside the glove;

FIG. 27 shows a partially cutaway view of a glove in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 shows a side view of a glove illustrated in FIG. 27 with thehand in a glove shown in an open position;

FIG. 29 shows a side view of a glove as illustrated in FIG. 27 with thehand grasping an item or object;

FIGS. 30, 31, 32 and 33 show a further embodiment of a glove inaccordance with the invention, where the fingertips of the glove havebeen cut to allow the fingertips of the hand to extend therethrough;

FIG. 34 is a side view of a glove in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 35 shows a view of the glove illustrated in FIG. 34 , partiallycutaway to show a hand inside of the glove;

FIG. 36 illustrates a palm down view of the glove shown in FIG. 34showing palm material wraps around the finger ends;

FIG. 37 illustrates a palm up view of the glove shown in FIG. 36detailing the palm material;

FIG. 38 illustrates a view similar to that shown in FIG. 37 withoutnetting or webbing between sheaths;

FIG. 39 illustrates a further embodiment of a glove in accordance withthe present invention including cording;

FIG. 40 illustrates a glove as shown in FIG. 39 showing an access flapin an open position to provide access to the adjustable cording;

FIG. 41 illustrates a partially cutaway section of the glove illustratedin FIG. 40 including mounting tabs and cording;

FIG. 42 illustrates a partially cutaway section of a glove similar tothat illustrated in FIG. 41 illustrating a different length of the tailof the knot and showing a more severe angle to the finger and sheathitself;

FIG. 43 of the drawings illustrates a glove incorporating an adjustablefingertip control wrapping;

FIG. 44 of the drawings shows a detail of the adjustable finger tipcontrol wrapping in the unfastened condition; and

FIG. 45 of the drawings shows a detail of the adjustable fingertipcontrol wrapping in the fastened condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in further detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The various drawings in this application showdifferent embodiments of a glove in accordance with the invention, allof which possess the ability to configure the hands, and restrictcertain movements thereof, by an athlete especially one engaged in thesport of mixed martial arts (MMA). An important objective of theinvention is to provide a glove which limits or restricts the use ofhand movement to prevent the fingers extending in a generally linearmanner, and attempts to keep the fingers in a curved or arcuatecondition in order to protect an opponent from certain injuries, such asan eye poke. The glove of the invention will also allow the user toadopt a clenched fist position.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are introductory figures showing different viewsand positions of the human hand. FIG. 1 shows a hand in a flat extended,straightened and expanded position with the palm up, FIG. 2 shows abasic hand in a flat extended position, FIG. 3 shows the hand in a flatextended position from a side view, FIG. 4 shows a hand in a naturalstate position from a side view, and FIG. 5 shows a hand in a clenchedposition from a side view. A hand 1 is shown in the extended positionwith the palm up, with fingers 2 extended. A gap 3 is shown between thefingers and FIGS. 1 and 2 show an extended thumb 4. In FIG. 3 , thefingers 2 are in the extended position 5, shown in a side view, with theback of the hand extended. In FIG. 4 , the fingers 2 are in the naturalslightly curved position 5A with the back of the hand 6 in a relaxedposition. In FIG. 5 , the fingers 2 are shown in a clenched or fistedposition 5B, wherein the thumb tip 4A of the thumb 4 is bent across thefingers 2. This FIG. 5 also shows the back of the hand in a clenchedposition.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show a conventional mixed martial arts (MMA) glove inthree different positions, namely, extended flat, natural, and clenched.There is no thumb sheath, just an oversized hole for the thumb. Theknuckle padding and fastening strap are consistent, and this gloveallows for the fingers to straighten when in use, during a fight, withthe potential for injury, such as an eye poke. The oversized sheathsallow for finger movement inside the glove itself which may alsopotentially cause other injuries to the user and the opponent, such aswhen the opponent grabs the inside glove sheaths, thereby bending fingerjoints. Some MMA gloves have even shorter fingers sheaths than thoseillustrated in these figures.

In FIG. 6 , there is shown a thumb 4 and finger in the extended position5. The natural finger position 5A is illustrated in FIG. 7 . Thestandard glove 7 is shown in FIG. 6 with the hand extended, in FIG. 7with the hand in the natural position, and in FIG. 8 with the hand inthe clenched position. The glove includes further fingers sheath 8, andoversized thumb opening 9, knuckle padding 10 and a fastening strap 11.It also shows an additional expensive material 7A for added internalhand movement. In FIG. 7 , the fingers 5B are in the natural position5A, while in FIG. 8 , the fingers 5B are in the clenched position 5B.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show another version of a conventional glove. Inthese figures, corresponding reference numerals to those used in FIGS.6, 7 and 8 are utilized. This standard MMA glove 13 further comprises athumb sheath 12. FIG. 9 shows the hand in the extended position, FIG. 10shows the hand in the natural curve position, while FIG. 11 shows thehand in the clenched position.

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 , there is shown a first embodimentof a glove 14 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 12 shows ahand in the extended position, FIG. 13 shows the hand in the naturalposition, and FIG. 14 shows a hand in the clenched position. The glove14 includes a thumb sheath 15 and knuckle padding 16, as well as anupper fastening strap 17, and a lower fastening strap 18. As clearlyseen in FIGS. 13 and 14 , there is a thumb sheath to index finger sheathwhich comprises a webbing 39 to restrict movement. This restrictivemovement webbing 39 has as one of its objectives the ability to keep thethumb and adjacent finger from separating beyond a certain amount ofdistance.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show an embodiment of the glove of the inventionshown in three positions and highlight the fact that the finger andthumb sheaths offer a skintight fit to limit or prevent hand movementseparately and apart from the glove itself. FIG. 13 also shows thewebbing 39 between the thumb sheath and finger sheath to restrictindependent movement from each other from being outside the normalfunctional joint range, thus potentially limiting joint injuries whengrabbed or twisted, or from an awkward strike position.

FIG. 15 shows the opening 20 through which the hand is inserted into theglove. A finger sheath 22 is provided and further finger sheath tofinger sheath restrictive movement webbing 24 is provided to control theextent to which the fingers may be separated. A finger sheath 25 isprovided and the glove incorporates restrictive cording 26 as shown inFIGS. 15, 17 and 18 . A sheath 39 between thumb and finger also providesrestrictive movement webbing. A lower fastening strap 18 which may holda Velcro material 27 releasably attaches to the lower fastening strapcontact adhesion material 29, and an upper fastening strap 17 which mayhold a Velcro material 27A releasably attaches to the upper fasteningstrap contact adhesion material 28. An entry opening slot 33 isprovided.

FIG. 17 also illustrates the restrictive cording 26 and the restrictivewebbing 35, which help to keep the opponent's fingers from grabbing thecording. In FIGS. 17 and 18 , the thumb sheath 34 has been omitted fromthe drawing for better viewing of the restrictive webbing 35.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the glove in this embodiment. Thecording 26 is attached to the finger sheath on the bottom of the fingersat one end and attaches to the lower palm area at the other.

FIGS. 20 to 26 show a further embodiment of a glove 36 in accordancewith the invention. FIG. 20 is a palm up view, FIG. 21 is a palm downview, FIG. 22 is a side view with the hand in the natural restingposition, and FIG. 23 is a further side view with the hand in a clenchedposition.

There is provided a thumb sheath 37 with a thumb sheath tip 37A,constituting a closed end. Webbing 39 restricts movement from thumbsheath to finger sheath, while webbing 40 restricts movement from fingersheath 41 to finger sheath 41. The finger sheath 41 with a sheath tip41A constituting closed ends. The glove 36 further comprises arestrictive outer surface material 42 on the palm side, an upperfastening strap 44, a lower fastening strap 45, and an opening 46through which the hand is placed into the glove 36. Further, some ofthese views show the knuckle padding 43. Upper fastening securementmaterial 44A attaches to securement material 44B, and securementmaterial 45A attaches to securement material 45B. An opening 46Aprovides a hand additional entry flap. Further, there is an outer topmaterial 49. In FIG. 22 , there is shown the restrictive bottom outersurface material 42, while FIG. 23 of the drawings illustrates therestrictive side outer material 50.

The netting 39 and 40 may be mildly flexible, but still keeps thefingers limited in their ability to move away from each other, helpingto keep injuries to a minimum, especially if grabbed by an opponent.Closed finger and thumb sheaths 37A and 41A are provided. The covermaterial 42 may be utilized to restrict the full extension of thefingers.

As shown in FIG. 22 , the material 42 may restrict the length of thepalm material, and wrapping it up the sides to the top material has theeffect of restricting mobility, but only in the direction of extension,and not for clenching.

FIG. 24 is a view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 22 showing therestrictive netting or webbing 39 between the finger sheath and thethumb sheath. This figure shows a hand in the glove when the human handis in its natural or rest position.

In FIG. 25 , a cutout 49A is shown to expose the position allowed forthe hand inside the glove 36. The figure also shows the finger sheathbottom surface 41B and the external material. This drawing clearly showshow the extension restriction is implemented with the extended palmmaterial 42 attaching to the fingertip area 41A of the finger sheath 41.

FIG. 26 shows a different embodiment with a hand 1 inside the glove 36.The finger sheaths having only top surface material and finger tipmaterial, an outer surface material 42 for the palm, and a space 42Abetween, a finger and the palm surface material.

FIG. 27 shows a further embodiment of a glove in accordance with theinvention, addressing the issue of potential excess material when thehand is in the clenched fist position. A finger sheath bottom material41B has been reduced in size to reduce additional material from the palmarea. The glove shows a small ramp 41B of bottom finger sheath materialto guide the fingertip into the inner sheath finger tip pocket 41C. Thefinger sheath bottom material 41B is attached to the palm surfacematerial 42 in a way which creates the ramp guide 41B for the finger.The area represented by reference numeral 42A, which is an internalnon-usable area. FIG. 27 shows the hand 1, including thumb 4, inside theglove 38. Cutout 49 of the side panel illustrates the position of thehand inside the glove.

FIG. 28 shows a view similar to that in FIG. 27 with the hand open in agrasping position. There is seen the thumb sheath to finger sheathwebbing 39, and a hand grasping area 90 between fingers and thumb. Thisfigure illustrates how the webbing 39, or netting material, may stretchunder the force or pressure. Note that this figure shows that it is thethumb sheath that is creating the opening in addition to the palm areaof the hand structure, and not the fingers opening wider by extending toa straighter position. FIG. 29 shows a side view of a hand in glovesimilar to that in FIG. 28 , grasping an item or object 91. This figurealso shows the netting or webbing 39 and the palm material 42compressing easily and out-of-the-way without creating bulk.

FIGS. 30 to 33 show a further embodiment of the invention where thefingertips of the sheaths remain open to allow for differences in fingerlengths. Such a structure also requires a change in how the restrictionof the extension is structured. These figures show the same referencenumbering, where applicable. The glove 51 includes a thumb sheath 52including a thumb sheath opening 52A. Each finger sheath 53 has a fingersheath opening 53A. There is provided restrictive movement webbing 55from finger sheath to finger sheath. The glove 51 has a restrictiveouter surface material 56 on the palm area, an upper fastening strap 57and a lower fastening strap 58. A restrictive webbing 59 is providedbetween the finger sheath and the thumb sheath. A hand entry opening 60is formed at one end of the glove 51. Knuckle padding 61 is provided.Fastening material 57A releasably attaches to fastening material 57B,and fastening material 58A attaches to fastening material 58B. FIGS. 30and 31 show different sides (top and bottom/palm) of the gloverespectively, while FIGS. 32 and 33 show a user's hand in the glove in anatural position and a clenched position respectively.

FIGS. 34 to 38 of the drawings show a further embodiment of theinvention. This embodiment shows a palm material 42, now havingreference #67, and siding material 66. A part 67A of the palm material67 is wrapped out and around the end of the finger sheath side and topmaterial, allowing for the size of the fingertip of the sheath to beadjusted while remaining open while the palm material confines thefinger sheath to an arc similar to that of a hand at rest as the palmmaterial also restricts the finger sheath from straightening.

These figures show a glove 62 including a thumb sheath 63 and fingersheath 65. A thumb sheath tip opening 63A is provided, as is a fingersheath tip opening 65A. There is a finger sheath internal open area aswell 66 and a restrictive outer palm surface material 67. Further, anupper fastening strap 70, a lower fastening strap 71, as well as knucklepadding are provided for the glove 62.

FIG. 35 shows a side view of the glove in accordance with thisembodiment, with a portion cutaway to illustrate the position of thehand within the glove 62, including the thumb and finger tips extendingthrough the finger and thumb sheath openings. The natural position 5A ofthe fingers 5 is shown. This figure also illustrates the finger sheathinternal open space 66A, and the finger sheath internal ramp area 66B,which is non-usable space. The restrictive outer palm surface material67 further comprises the finger sheath internal ramp 67B. Knucklepadding 72 and 72A are provided, and the cutout 73 helps to illustratethe position and fit of the hand within the glove 62.

FIG. 36 shows a palm down view of an embodiment of the inventionincluding a detailed showing the palm material wrapping 67A around thefinger ends of the finger sheaths in order to control finger extension.A restrictive webbing 74 is provided between the finger sheath and thethumb sheath. Further, restrictive webbing 75 is shown between adjacentfingers sheaths.

FIG. 37 shows a palm up view of the glove 62, illustrating the palmmaterial 67 and the wraparound 67A, along with the webbing 74 and 75.

FIG. 38 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 37 , but without thenetting or webbing between the sheaths. This is apparent from theunrestricted spaces 77 and 78 between the fingers sheaths and betweenthe finger sheath and thumb sheath respectively.

FIGS. 39 to 42 show yet a further embodiment of the present invention.In this embodiment, a system is provided whereby the amount ofrestriction in the extension of the finger sheath is adjustable by theuser. This may be useful in the professional fighting arena whereconsistency for fairness is essential. The adjustability of the glove inthis embodiment ensure that each competitor's finger extensionrestriction amount is the same. These figures are similar to those shownin the previous embodiment, with the exception that the netting orwebbing has been removed. The glove 79 in this embodiment includes anupper fastening strap 80, a palm surface cutout 81 to reveal an internaltightening system, and a cloth folded mounting tab 82. A mounting tabupper flap 82A with mounting holes is provided for adjusting the cording85. Cord mounting eyelet holes 84 are provided, and each cord 85terminates with a cording knot 86. At the opposite end, the cording 85has flattened and sewn cording ends 87. It will be appreciated thatutilizing knots to adjust finger sheath restriction is just one way ofeffecting adjustment.

FIG. 40 showing the cutout reveal 81 allowing for internal viewing, theuser can see the mounting fixture 82 comprised of a pliable but strongmaterial that allows the cording to be weaved and adjusted forrestriction angle. A knot is tied to attain the desired level ofrestriction by appropriately manipulating the length of the cording 85.

FIG. 40 shows the glove 79 with the access flap opened. It may be heldclosed by Velcro material or by some other fastening or connectingmechanism. FIG. 40 illustrates the access flap 88 which provides accessfor adjusting the internal restriction system. The attachment material89 corresponds with the attachment material 90, which together may be ofVelcro, and operate to keep the access flap 88 closed when no access isrequired.

FIG. 41 shows a partially cutaway side view including a an additionaldeeper level cutout 91 which provides a view through the skin of thehand that is between the thumb and index finger. It can be seen in thisfigure how the mounting tab 82 attaches to the access flap 81. Thenatural angles of the finger, as shown by reference numeral 92, isillustrated, and this figure clearly shows the effect of the cording 85in restricting the user from straightening or expanding the fingers.

FIG. 42 shows a view similar to that in FIG. 41 . A cording knot tail86A is showing a tale which is longer than shown to be in FIG. 40because the finger sheath is pulled more tightly making the arc of thefinger sheath smaller. Clearly, the tail will be longer when the knot isfurther up the cording, and vice versa. FIG. 42 shows that the cording85 has been pulled close to be of shorter effective length to adjust thefinger sheath restriction angle. Reference numeral 92A helps illustratethe angle to which the finger sheath has been restricted by the cordingwhen compared to #92 of FIG. 41 , having been pulled shorter and tied inplace through the mounting tab holes 84 in the mounting tab 82.

FIGS. 43, 44 and 45 show an embodiment of the invention whichincorporates an adjustable fingertip control wrapping. The purpose andfunction of the control wrappings is to better accommodate fingers whichmay be thinner or smaller in circumference than the actual finger sheathend opening. By adjusting this wrap after the hand is in the glove, thewearer's finger will be snugly accommodated within the sheath of theglove to facilitate operation of the glove at its maximum designefficiency.

In FIG. 43 , there is shown a glove including an upper fastening strap70, knuckle padding 72, and an adjustable fingertip control wrapping.This is comprised of the secured end of an adjustable restrictivefingertip control wrapping 95, and the adjustable end of the adjustablerestrictive fingertip control wrapping 95A, the position of which can bevaried to alter the size at or near the finger opening. The securementend stitching 96 insures an effective fastening to the glove. Thefingertip control wrapping includes a fastening strap Velcro material 97(male side) and the fastening strap contact adhesion material 98 (femaleside). The adhesion material 98 can be placed on the Velcro material 97in different ways and locations so that the finger opening remains atits maximum size, or where a part of the finger sheath under thematerial 97 and 98 will be squeezed slightly to make the finger openingsmaller. An appropriate adjustment can be made based on the thinness orcircumference of the fingers. This embodiment therefore offers anadditional layer of fit, so that the maximum comfort and efficiency ofthe glove can be utilized.

In FIGS. 44 and 45 , a detail of the fingertip control wrapping isillustrated. FIG. 4 shows the wrapping in the unwrapped condition, whileFIG. 45 shows the wrapping in the secured position, adjusted for thecircumference of the wearer's finger. These figures illustrate a finger5 in the finger sheath 65. The secured end of the adjustable restrictivefingertip control wrapping 95 is releasably connected to the adjustableend of the adjustable restrictive fingertip control wrapping A fasteningstrap of Velcro material 97 (male side) thus releasably engages with thefastening strap contact adhesion material 98 (female side). As best seenin FIG. 45 , reference numeral 99 represents the finger sheath squeezeddown to a smaller opening to provide a more complete and effectivecontact fit around the finger 5.

As will be appreciated, the present invention as described herein in itsvarious embodiments can take a significant number of different versionsand forms. Central to all of the embodiments is the provision of a glovewhich contains structure for restricting the movement of the hand orfingers when inside the glove. The glove of the invention will make itcomfortable for the user's hand to be in a natural slightly curvedposition, as well as in a clenched or fisted position, but not one inwhich the user's fingers are straight, extended or linear, in a flatposition. As mentioned above, when the fingers are straight or extended,this increases the probability of injury to both the opponent as well asthe user of the glove.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A glove comprising: a back surface havingan entry end and a finger sheath connection end; a palm surface havingan extended length and an entry end, and a finger sheath connection end;a multitude of finger sheaths each finger sheath having a top surfacewith a connection end, a fingertip portion, and a partial bottom surfacebeing connected to the fingertip portion; and a thumb sheath having atop surface, a fingertip portion, and a bottom surface; the back surfaceand the palm surface attached and configured to receive a hand, thefinger sheath top surface having a connecting end that is attached tothe back surface finger sheath connecting end, the fingertip portionconnected to the partial bottom surface of the finger sheath, thepartial bottom surface of the finger sheath being significantly shorterthan a length of the top surface of the finger sheath, each fingersheath being bent into an arc, the fingertip portion of the bent fingersheath attached to the finger sheath connection end of the palm surface,a connection between the finger sheath's fingertip portion and the palmsurface connection end creates a permanent arc in the finger sheathrestricting the ability for the finger sheath to be extended orstraightened beyond the permanent arc when used, the partial bottomsurface of the finger sheath having a ramp, the ramp configured to guidea fingertip of a user into a position in the finger sheath whichcompletely encircles the finger of the user, the ramp having a bendconfigured between a distal and a middle phalanges area of the finger ofthe user when worn, the ramp being on the inside bottom of the fingersheath with the bend having an angle between 45 degrees and 90 degreesin a direction away from the finger sheath towards and connecting to thepalm surface connection end, the finger sheath retaining the ability tograsp items as well as to be fully clenched into a fist position.
 2. Aglove as claimed in claim 1 further comprising knuckle padding formed onthe back surface of the glove including on the top surface of at leastone of the finger sheaths.
 3. A glove as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising at least one closure or strap for securing the glove.
 4. Aglove as claimed in claim 1 wherein the finger sheaths and the thumbsheath each have an open end configured to allow the tips of the fingersand thumb of the user to extend outside of the finger sheaths and thumbsheaths.
 5. A glove as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fingertip portionof the finger sheath is open and configured to allow the fingertip of auser to be exposed.
 6. A glove comprising: a back surface having anentry end and a finger sheath connection end; a palm surface having anextended length and an entry end, a finger sheath connection end; amultitude of finger sheaths each having a top surface with a connectionend, and a fingertip portion with a connection end; and a thumb sheathhaving a top surface, a fingertip portion, and a bottom surface; theback surface and the palm surface attached and configured to receive ahand through the entry end, a finger sheath's top surface connecting endattached to the back surface finger sheath connecting end, the fingersheath being bent into an arc, allowing the connection end of thefingertip portion of the finger sheath to reach the finger sheathconnecting end of the palm surface for attachment, the attachment of thefinger sheath at the fingertip connection end to the finger sheathconnection end of the palm surface restricts the range of motion of thefinger sheath from being able to fully extend or straighten, the fingersheath retaining the ability to grasp items as well as to be fullyclenched into a fist position.
 7. A glove as claimed in claim 6 furthercomprising a restrictive outer palm surface control wrapping material atthe fingertip portion.
 8. A glove as claimed in claim 6 furthercomprising a palm surface having an extended length and an entry end, afinger sheath connection end, and a plurality of adjustable fingertipcontrol wrapping components at or near the end of the finger sheath, theadjustable fingertip control wrapping components adjustably encompassingat least one finger sheath to vary the circumference of the fingersheath at a fingertip area for configuring to different finger sizes. 9.A glove as claimed in claim 8 wherein the adjustable fingertip controlwrapping component comprises a strap having a releasable securementsurface and a base on the sheath having a releasable securement surface,the strap and base being releasably connectable to each other to varythe circumference of the finger sheath at the fingertip area.
 10. Aglove as claimed in claim 6 further comprising knuckle padding formed onthe back surface of the glove including on the top surface of at leastone of the finger sheaths and at least one fastening strap for securingthe glove.
 11. A glove comprising: a back surface having an entry endand a finger sheath connection end; an inner palm surface having anentry end, and a finger sheath connection end; an outer palm surfacehaving an extended length that is longer than the inner palm surface andwider than the inner palm surface, having an entry end and a fingersheath tip connection end, the entry end of the outer palm surfaceattached on top of and to the entry end of the inner palm surface; amultitude of finger sheaths each having a top surface, a fingertipportion, and a bottom surface; and a thumb sheath having a top surface,the fingertip portion, and a bottom surface; the back surface and theinner palm surface attached and configured to receive a hand each fingersheath positioned in an arc, which allows the fingertip portion of thefinger sheath to reach the connection end of the outer palm surface forattachment, the attachment of the finger sheath at the fingertip portionto the connection end of the outer palm surface which restricts therange of motion of the finger sheath from being able to fully extend orstraighten, an additional width of the outer palm surface extendingbeyond the width of the inner palm surface on both sides of the innerpalm surface closes the gap between the arc of the finger sheath'sbottom surface and the outer palm surface, the finger sheaths retain theability to grasp items and to be fully clenched into a fist.
 12. A gloveas claimed in claim 11 wherein the fingertip portion is open andconfigured to allow a fingertip of a user to be exposed.
 13. A glovecomprising: a back surface having an entry end and a finger sheathconnection end; an inner palm surface having an entry end, a fingersheath connection end, and a cord mounting tab; an outer palm surfacebeing longer in length than the inner palm surface, wider than the innerpalm surface, having an entry end, a finger sheath tip connection end,and incorporating an access flap, the entry end of the outer palmsurface attached on top of and to the entry end of the inner palmsurface; a multitude of finger sheaths each having a top surface, abottom surface, a fingertip portion, and a connection end; a thumbsheath having a top surface, the fingertip portion, and a bottomsurface; a multitude of cords each with a flattened portion at one endfor connecting to the finger sheath near the fingertip portion, anopposite end of each of the multitude of cords utilized for knotting toadjust the length of the cord; the back surface and the inner palmsurface being attached and configured to receive a hand, each fingersheath positioned in an arc, the outer palm surface being attached tothe fingertip portion of each of the arced finger sheaths whichmaintains the arc in the finger sheaths and restricts the finger sheathsfrom extending or straightening beyond the arced attachment position ofthe finger sheaths, an additional width of the outer palm surfaceextends beyond the width of the inner palm surface on both sides of theinner palm surface to close a gap between the arc of the finger sheath'sbottom surface and the extended length outer palm surface, the multitudeof cords, when in use tighten the arc of the finger sheaths making thefinger sheath's arc smaller, which further limits the finger sheath'sability to extend or straighten, and are confined in the gap between theouter palm surface and inner palm surface, one cord for each fingersheath and being attached to the finger sheath bottom surface near thefingertip portion and extending towards and through a cord mounting tabon the inner palm surface, the multitude of cords being accessed throughthe outer palm surface access flap and adjustable in length once throughthe cord mounting tab and tied into a knot, the adjustment of each cordcreating a multitude of finger sheath arc options, each arc option beingsmaller than the arc created from the attachment of the upper palmsurface to the fingertip portion of the finger sheath, the fingersheaths retain the ability to grasp items and be fully clenched into afist position when an internal space is occupied by a user.
 14. A gloveas claimed in claim 13 wherein the cords are connected to the fingersheath connection end bottom surface near the fingertip portion and alsoconnected at a mid-point of the inner palm surface.
 15. A glove asclaimed in claim 13 further comprising; knuckle padding formed on theback surface of the glove including on the top surface of at least oneof the finger sheaths and at least one fastening strap for securing theglove.
 16. A glove comprising; a back surface; a palm surface beinglonger in length than the back surface; a multitude of finger sheathseach having a top surface and a fingertip portion; a thumb sheath withtop and bottom surfaces; the finger sheaths placed into an arc, thefingertip portion attached to the lengthened palm surface keeping thefinger sheaths in an arc position and restricting the finger sheathsfrom moving into a linear extended or straightened position, whileallowing the finger sheaths to close through a multitude of smaller arcpositions until a clenched position is achieved if desired by the user.17. A glove as claimed in claim 16 wherein the finger sheaths have abottom surface, the palm surface having an extended length that attachesto the fingertip portion of the finger sheaths keeping the fingersheaths in the arc position and restricting the finger sheaths frommoving into the linear extended or straightened position, while allowingthe finger sheaths to close through the multitude of smaller arcpositions until a clenched position is achieved if desired by the user.18. A glove as claimed in claim 16 wherein the finger sheaths have apartial bottom surface starting at the fingertip portion and beingsignificantly shorter than the finger sheath top surface, the palmsurface having an extended length which attaches to the fingertipportion of the finger sheath keeping the finger sheaths in the arcposition and preventing the finger sheaths from moving into the linearextended position, while allowing the finger sheaths to close throughthe multitude of smaller arc positions until a clenched position isachieved if desired by the user.
 19. A glove as claimed in claim 16further comprising; knuckle padding formed on the back surface of theglove including on the top surface of at least one of the fingersheaths, and at least one fastening strap for securing the glove.
 20. Aglove comprising: a back surface having an entry end and a finger sheathconnection end; a palm surface having an entry end, and a finger sheathconnection end; a multitude of finger sheaths each having a top surface,a fingertip portion, a bottom surface, and a connection end; a thumbsheath having a top surface, a fingertip portion, and a bottom surface;a multitude of restrictive cording, one cord per finger sheath; arestrictive webbing material attached from each cord to the palmsurface; the back surface and the palm surface attached and configuredto receive a hand, each finger sheath positioned in an arc, one cord foreach finger sheath and being attached at one cord end to the fingersheath bottom surface near the fingertip portion and extending towardsand attaching on the palm surface with an opposite cord end, the cords,installed for retaining the arc of the finger sheaths and restrictingthe finger sheaths from extending or straightening, a webbing materialattached between each cord and the palm surface keeping the cords frombeing hooked on objects, the finger sheaths retain the ability to graspitems and be fully clenched into a fist position when an internal spaceis occupied by a user.
 21. A glove as claimed in claim 20 furthercomprising knuckle padding formed on the back surface of the gloveincluding on the top surface of at least one of the finger sheaths, andat least one fastening strap for securing the glove.